The Cross River State Government has confirmed a new case of COVID-19 and says it has quickly activated its public health emergency response system to prevent any possible spread of the virus.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, made the announcement on Tuesday in Calabar, assuring residents that there is no cause for alarm as the situation is under control.
According to him, the confirmed case involves a 53-year-old Chinese expatriate who arrived in Nigeria about a month ago and works with a company in Akamkpa Local Government Area.
He explained that the patient initially showed mild symptoms, was later admitted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, and samples taken there confirmed COVID-19 infection.
“The patient is currently receiving treatment at the designated isolation centre and is responding positively,” Ayuk said.
The commissioner added that the government delayed public disclosure until all necessary medical tests were completed, stressing that this was to avoid panic and misinformation.
He noted that Cross River remains committed to disease surveillance and rapid response, especially in a world where infections can easily cross borders due to movement of people.
“There is no reason for panic. The state is safe, but we must all remain alert and play our part in preventing any spread,” he said.
The State Epidemiologist, Dr. Inyang Ekpenyong, confirmed that this is the first recorded COVID-19 case in the state since 2022. She attributed the low number of recent cases to vaccination efforts and the fact that many infections go unreported due to mild symptoms.
She explained that once a case is confirmed, it is treated as an outbreak, which triggers immediate emergency response measures.
Rapid response teams have since been deployed to Akamkpa Local Government Area, while contact tracing of individuals who may have been exposed is ongoing.
The Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Jonah Offor, commended the collaboration between the state government, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners in managing the situation effectively.
WHO State Coordinator, Dr. Olatunde Rebecca, urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid misinformation, stressing that preventive measures such as proper hygiene, mask use, and safe distancing remain important.
She added that efforts are ongoing to determine the exact variant of the virus involved.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, said the state’s improved outbreak response system has made early detection and containment more effective than in previous years.
